How Long Does Planning Permission Last?

How Long Does Planning Permission Last?

If you have planning approval for an extension or other project, or if you have bought a plot of land that has planning permission to build upon it such a new house you probably have a couple of questions on your mind.

You may be thinking one of the following:

how long does planning permission last? Is there anything that can be done to stop planning permission from expiring before you are ready to start your project? If your planning permission has run out, have you got to start the whole process again?

Rest assured we get asked these questions all the time anhttps://gbs.co.uk/how-long-does-planning-permission-last/d, in this article, we’re going to do what we do best, take the complexity out of these questions and provide simple answers.

How Long Does My Planning Permission Last?

Usually, unless otherwise stated and provided that the plot of land has nothing unusual about it full planning permission is valid for three years from the date that the local authority granted planning permission.

Alternatively, you may have gained outline planning permission, if this is the case you have three years to seek planning permission for the reserved matters.

There are occasions where the this is not the case; however, they are rare and should be clearly stated on your approval letter.

We know what your next question might be…

What Type of Planning Permission Do I Have?

If you were involved in the application you should know which type of permission you have, however if the site or building was bought with planning permission attached to it you may not. We can assist in finding out in any case with a simple planning search.

As suggested in the name, full planning permission covers everything needed from the local authorities’ point of view. Once you have made sure that all conditions have been met or discharged (as outlined within the local authority’s approval letter) and provided all other procedures are in place, you are ready to commence construction work on site.

Outline planning permission is usually attached to larger projects, it covers an approval for the broad idea of a scheme and later a secondary application can be made that covers the finer details or reserved matters.

In both instances you have three years to act on your planning permission to keep it from expiring, but there are actions that can keep it alive.

You may now be thinking…

GBS Architectural – How Can We Help You?

The above is a broad outline of a usually complex matter. Whilst the planning procedure is set out by the government through national legislation invariably each local authority administers it in their own unique way.

Whilst we have been able to answer a few key questions about how long planning permission lasts, what type of planning permission you may have, how to keep your planning permission live and what to do if your planning permission has expired. We cannot answer in detail how your specific local authority will take a view on whether you have commenced your project or, if your planning permission has expired how likely you are to get approval again.

For us to give you these sorts of answers all you need to do is send us an email or give us a call and we would be happy to discuss your project with.

GBS Architectural is London based CIAT chartered residential architecture practise with offices in Wimbledon. We specialise in handling the entire architectural process (conception, planning, technical, tendering, contract administration/project management) of all residential projects such as house extensions, loft conversions, outbuilding designs and bespoke residential new-build homes.

We provide a stress-free service that puts out client’s satisfaction at the forefront of our working relationship by acting as a single point of contact for our clients.

If you would like us to help you with a new or existing project, please do get in touch.